ABA - NR34/2004

19 April 2004

Smithton transmitter and power increase for Burnie radio services

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has decided to made additional channel capacity available in the FM band on 94.5 MHz for the existing commercial AM service 7BU Burnie, to operate a translator in Smithton, Tasmania.

It has also decided to vary the technical operating conditions of FM commercial radio service 7SEA Burnie to allow an increase in power from 8kW to 20 kW.

The decisions are contained in a variation to the radio licence area plan for Burnie, released today.

The additional FM channel capacity has been planned by the ABA under the Commercial Radio Blackspots Program. This program is an Australian Government initiative which will provide $5 million over three years to deliver new or improved commercial radio services to regional and remote communities where it has not been commercially viable for licensees to provide coverage. The Program will ensure that greater access to commercial radio services is provided to a large number of people located in regional and remote Australia.

Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) has identified Smithton/Stanley in the Burnie commercial licence area as a radio blackspot area for the existing 7BU AM radio service.

In December 2001, the ABA determined the Burnie radio licence area plan. The licence areas in the plan were determined using 1996 Census data. The ABA has now designated the Burnie commercial radio licence area and the Wynyard community radio licence area using 2001 Census data.

The variation to the Burnie licence area plan is available from the ABA website or by calling Freecall 1800 226 667.

Media contact Donald Robertson, ABA Manager Media and PR on (02) 9334 7980.